Friday, June 18, 2010

On the Fourth in 1870, the MacDonald Family sailed across Seneca Lake to Johnson's Cove for a "pic-nic." Mrs. MacDonald did not mention what her packaged fare was, but it might have included cold roast chicken, sardines, hard-boiled eggs, Boston brown bread, buttered rolls, sweet pickles, plum jelly, Saratoga chips ("carried in fancy papers which can be thrown away"), jelly, watermelon, chocolate loaf cake, fruit, cookies, lemonade, iced tea, and, of course, ice cream. To carry ice cream to a picnic without having it melt, one was to pack ice well around the freezer and then wrap the whole in a heavy carpet. Savory Suppers and Fashionable Feasts p. 200

"These can be made real milestones in the path of life; for a picnic or a hike, or a camping party on the beach or on the shores of the lake can do more probably to cement friendship and, at the same time, build up health and reserve strength than any other form of entertainment." Ida Bailey Allen The Sunshine Book [online circa 1920s]

Pique-nique "A meal taken in the open, or a meal to which each participant contributes a dish." -Larousse Gastronomique [1961, p. 731]

"An occasion, usually held outdoors, where food is eaten under informal circumstances and where a good time is had by all." -James Beard Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cookery [Vol. 9; 1966]

A Tisket A Tasket

You're all invited!!!

Just in case you missed it, International Picnic Day in 2009 kicked off the very first online Picnic Game here @ Months of Edible Celebrations. Not only was it FUN, our online picnic baskets were filled to the brim with picnic recipes. Would you like to play again? I sure would:)

UPDATE:June 27, 2010-Our picnic basket has the following letters still available.

U and Y!!!

I'll be posting a new blog post shortly with the latest Picnic Game News. It isn't to late to "play" so pick a letter and join in!!!

How To Play

Come on, you must have played the picnic game before. It's real easy. The traditional memory game starts when one player recites: "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing an ___." (some word(s) that starts with the letter A; for instance Apple Pie)

The second player says, "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm bringing an Apple Pie. (the same "A" word(s) the first player used, in this case an Apple Pie) and ___." they add a B word like, Blueberry Muffins.

Each player recites what the person before is bringing and adds what they're bringing until we reach the end of the alphabet. Still not sure how to play? Take a look at the How to Play the Picnic Game Video I found online. It's child's play:)

1. Since this is a virtual picnic game, Anyone, Anywhere can play. I do request that recipes be posted in English or easy access to a translating medium is available.

2. Choose your letter at your own leisure. Don't take too long though. The "easy" letters go pretty quickly. Leave a comment on this post with the letter you have chosen. For instance, if you want to bring a dish to the picnic, that begins with the letter "A," your comment must be left before another person chooses that letter. *We can only have one letter of the alphabet for each dish.Note: If you would like to choose a backup letter just in case your chosen letter is taken, that would be GREAT too.

3. I will let you know if you can bring your dish to the picnic by leaving a You're Invited! comment on your blog. "You're Invited" will be your signal to grab a copy of the Picnic Game logo above and prepare a post for the Picnic Game Round-Up. Now, here's the difficult part. Since the Picnic Game is listed in alphabetical order, you may feel a bit like a contortionist trying to get your post up while still leaving room for the letters that will be preceding yours. For instance, last year, Selba @ Selby's Food Corner chose the letters K and L. She wasn't able to post her picnic game recipes until I emailed her a list of the letters and dishes before hers. Not only did she do it, she did a GREAT job which included the images and links to the recipes. Look how nice it looks by following Selby's link above.

Let's say my dish begins with the letter "E" and I'm bringing Eggplant and Pimiento Long Boys. After a "picnicky" introduction, my post would look something like this:

Split 6-inch lengths of French bread, or French rolls. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. I don't usually have garlic salt on hand but hey, this is a picnic:)Cover one half with overlapping slices of panfried eggplant. On the other half put slices of pimiento. Wha la!

In essence, the sooner you send me your link, the sooner you'll be able to fill in the blanks as will everyone else. It's your choice whether you chose to include images from the recipes before yours but please do include an image with your recipe and don't forget to send it to me with the link. [acalenda {at} gmail {dot} com] That's me!

In its traditional form, the Picnic Game is not written down, or in this case posted. Memory is of the utmost importance. As items are "brought" to the picnic, the list becomes longer and longer ending at the letter "Z." As the picnic goodies are recited, it becomes more difficult to remember who is bringing what. We won't be eliminating any letters. In our game, the list will continue from blog to blog with each blogger adding an alphabetical link for each item being brought on the picnic. They will also include their newly created "lettered" dish in their post. (last year we used archived recipes but this year I thought it would be fun to create a dish just for the Picnic Game.)

I was going to kick things off by filling the picnic basket with the first item. However, I've decided against that for the time being. Many people are on a blog hiatus since the nice weather is upon so I'm leaving the letter choosing up to YOU! I will whip up something with the leftovers if need be.:) (hopefully there won't be too many so please be creative with your recipe titles so we get to include difficult letters such as Q and Z:)

The absolute deadline for your chosen letter recipe link is Sunday, June 27th. That date should give me enough time to fill in the blanks for the letters not taken and whip up the final list of Picnic Game goodies in time for National Picnic Month in July. I'll be posting the Round-Up on the first of July.

Summary

1. Select a recipe that begins with your chosen letter and write a post about it on your blog. You must list what the people before you are bringing. That's why it's called the Picnic Game! I will email you with those links and images, as soon as they are emailed to me.

2. Include the Picnic Day Logo in your post with a link back to this post.

3. Email me at acalenda {at} gmail {dot} com (it would be really nice of you to include Picnic Game in the subject line) In the email please include the following.

a. Your nameb. Your blog's namec. Your post URLd. The name of your recipee. An image of your dish (250 pixels wide sounds good) Also let me know if you give me permission to pass the image along to other picnickers.

4. If you would like to bring more than one dish to the picnic, you are more than welcome. Just note it in the email and include items C-E for each additional dish.

5. Please email me as soon as you know what you are bringing. No later than Sunday, June 27, midnight EST. The sooner the better so I can forward your link to the other picnickers.

6. I will be posting the entire list of Picnic Game recipes by midnight July 1st. If for some reason, there are not enough entries by that time, I'll do my best to fill in the blanks.

7. *If you would like to host the Picnic Day Game on your blog, and get your visitors involved, be my guest. The more the merrier. Just let me know.

9. If for some reason, there are not enough entries for the Picnic Game, I will do my best to fill in the blanks. How? I'm not quite sure but I'll think of something. I realize many people are away or will be away the next couple of weeks and not blogging as often as usual. However, if you've been lurking @ Months of Edible Celebrations, now would be the perfect time to introduce yourself and your blog if you have one. We have 26 letters to to fill that basket. If you don't have a blog, introduce yourself anyway. Picnics are always more enjoyable when there are new people to meet and greet!

10. Most important, Have FUN!

So, do you want to play the Picnic Game? Oh goodie, then just pick a letter and let's get toting!!! Here's the filled Picnic Basket from last year to whet your appetite.

Hi Channon! I was just on my way to your place to invite you. I'm sorry it sounds complex. Essentially, you pick a letter, whip up a recipe and then list all the picnic goers before you. It was FUN last year. I do hope you will join us.

Wow! Thanks for the invite Louise! I feel a bit intimidated by this game, but I think I would like to consider the letter B if that is not taken. I just hope I don't ruin it somehow. You are so clever. What a fun idea. I am off to see the lovely recipes of 09'.

Not to worry Kasha. You are so talented in the kitchen. I just wish I were a wee bit better at explaining. However, it's all about FUN and sharing. You'll do GREAT and the letter B belongs to YOU!!! I'm delighted you're playing!!!

This event sounds like so much fun, but I cannot make it this year. I'd not be able to do it justice. But if you plan on repeating it next year, I'm your girl. I cannot wait to see what people come up with,

HI Louise, thanks so much for the invitation. This is such a fun game to play! I hope I have time for this too. I can't promise you anything unless I confirm I have time for this. See what I can do about it later! Thanks alot, dear.Have a great day and fun game!Cheers, Kristy

Oh I'm sorry you can't make it this year, 5 Star Foodie. You sure do have a lot going on at your blog. I totally understand especially now that I know you are headed on vacation. I can't wait to see what goodies you bring back for us. I know you will...

It really is FUN, Oyster Good Lord willing and the creek don't freeze we'll be back here next year with a whole new basket of goodies. In the mean time, enjoy the feast!!!

Hi Kristy, thank you so much for popping in. I do hope you will be able to join us. Just pick a letter if/when you're ready and then, Enjoy!!!

I'm so happy you will be joining us Julie The letter D is all yours!!! You can surprise us with your dish whenever you're ready. Just be sure and mention this post and the Picnic Game. Save room for the others before you and send me your link and a picture. That's it!!! Can't wait to "see" you there:)

Hey Louise!!!Oh geez am I late Sorry :( Thanks for inviting me to the Picnic game Wow it looks like fun! I have to read through it again. Maybe I can think of something.

Things are slowly geting back into a routine. Our baby girl is sleeping better and so are we. She is just over 4 months old now. I hope to get back into a routine with my blog. I know I keep saying that, but I really enjoyed it.

Hi Jim. Not to worry. You take care of that family of yours. We'll "see" you whenever things calm down. 4 months!!! Yikes!!!

Peachkins thanks for visiting. The Picnic Game is FUN! And we get quite a collection in that basket!

We'd love for you to join us. The letters left are I, U, X, Y and Zee!!! Choose any letter you like. Two even. It would be great if you could get your post up no later than June 29th. Hope to "see" you there. Feel free to email me with any questions. acalenda [at] gmail [dot] com

Hi Shaz and Welcome:) Now don't you fret, you didn't miss the Picnic Game. The fun has just begun. Pop in on Thursday for the Round-Up and you will be on your way to all the wonderful dishes we have to share.

Next Year!!! There's still time to choose a letter this year. If you use your creative imagination, I bet you could come up with something, anything that begins with the letters U, X or Y Think, think, think, Anything!!! Last year someone brought XXX Pizza!!!